Directing polymorph specific calcium carbonate formation with de novo protein templates

Bibliographic Details
Title: Directing polymorph specific calcium carbonate formation with de novo protein templates
Authors: Fatima A. Davila-Hernandez, Biao Jin, Harley Pyles, Shuai Zhang, Zheming Wang, Timothy F. Huddy, Asim K. Bera, Alex Kang, Chun-Long Chen, James J. De Yoreo, David Baker
Source: Nature Communications, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2023)
Publisher Information: Nature Portfolio, 2023.
Publication Year: 2023
Collection: LCC:Science
Subject Terms: Science
More Details: Abstract Biomolecules modulate inorganic crystallization to generate hierarchically structured biominerals, but the atomic structure of the organic-inorganic interfaces that regulate mineralization remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that heterogeneous nucleation of calcium carbonate could be achieved by a structured flat molecular template that pre-organizes calcium ions on its surface. To test this hypothesis, we design helical repeat proteins (DHRs) displaying regularly spaced carboxylate arrays on their surfaces and find that both protein monomers and protein-Ca2+ supramolecular assemblies directly nucleate nano-calcite with non-natural {110} or {202} faces while vaterite, which forms first in the absence of the proteins, is bypassed. These protein-stabilized nanocrystals then assemble by oriented attachment into calcite mesocrystals. We find further that nanocrystal size and polymorph can be tuned by varying the length and surface chemistry of the designed protein templates. Thus, bio-mineralization can be programmed using de novo protein design, providing a route to next-generation hybrid materials.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2041-1723
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2041-1723
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43608-1
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/6cacd6f254a84ca6bc2400ddc3231925
Accession Number: edsdoj.6cacd6f254a84ca6bc2400ddc3231925
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20411723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-43608-1
Published in:Nature Communications
Language:English